Acorn Trust

Meet the Board

The Board of Trustees assume full responsibility for the strategic direction of the Multi Academy Trust. The Trustees will be accountable for the entire business operation of the Trust. The Trust will take responsibility for the financial and resource management of the schools so they can concentrate on the education of its pupils. The strategic direction of each school will be set through the Local Advisory Board to whom the Trustees have delegated responsibility. Although the Board holds overall responsibility and control it is important that each school is able to self-govern through the local advisory board. This self-governance will look different within each school dependent on their journey and the individual challenges of the school. It will include holding the school to account for standards, curriculum and pastoral care. It will be strategic in the development of the school improvement plan and holding the school to account for it. This will be set out in the scheme of delegation which may vary from school to school.

MEMBERS

Name

Biography

Rev Paul Martin

Chair of the Bolton and Rochdale District which has 11 Methodist/Methodist Anglican Primary Schools.

Previously served as Chair of Governors in two Methodist Primary Schools and a Community Primary School.

Passionate about the need for children to get a good start in life through education and keen to encourage the missional and evangelistic opportunities which exist through our schools.

Mr Graham White

Chair of the Trust

Former Chair of the Local Advisory Board (LAB) at Westleigh School with almost 30 years experience as a governor with a significant number as chair of governors.

Worked for British Gas for 42 years, Technical Gas Support Engineer duties included leading teams of engineers, on the job training, assessing and monitoring.

Mr Kevin Meredith

Chair of the Local Advisory Board at Bedford Hall School with governance experience for 8 years.

Member of the Methodist Church. A current Methodist Church Treasurer for over 20 years and former Methodist Circuit Treasurer for 15 churches, responsible for financial accountability to Church and Circuit.

Employed over 38 years for a large cable manufacturer, positions held included Head of Process Development and Product Development responsible for managing engineers, coordinating development of new processes/products and appraisals.

Employed over 9 years in a Property Management Company, responsible for Property Maintenance, issuing and managing contracts and contractors.

Mrs Dawn Lancashire

Governor for 17 Years

Headteacher at Light Oaks Infant School

Bolton & Rochdale Methodist District Day School Visitor & Secretary of the Schools Forum

Methodist Education Officer representing the District at Methodist Connexional

Involved with Headteacher Performance Management for number of years

Mr Max Bailey

Retired Solicitor. Former Managing Partner of large Bury firm of Solicitors where I guided them to Investor in People recognition and a Legal Aid Franchise.

Past President of The Bury & District Law Society.

Former Invigilator of Examinations at The University of Manchester.

Gift Aid Secretary at The Bridge Church Bolton

TRUSTEES

Name

Biography

Mr Graham White

Chair of the Trust
(please see additional information above)

Mrs Julie-Ann Hewitt

CEO of the Trust

Headteacher since 2009

Executive Headteacher at Bedford Hall and Westleigh Methodist since 2013

Centre Lead for the Westleigh Start Well Centre

Trustee for the Methodist Academies & Schools Trust (MAST)

Qualifications

BA (hons) Theology 2:1
NPQH

Mr Paul Blackburn

Chair of the Finance Committee

Finance Director at M Logan & Sons Ltd for 13 years

Previously a Graduate Computer Programmer at British Airways

Qualifications

Part Qualified CIMA Accountant
Degree in Accounting & Finance

Mrs June Todd

Educational consultant – providing support nationally and internationally. School improvement officer at a wide range of schools. Specialises in safeguarding and literacy

Director: Teaching and Learning Consultancy - providing consultancy support for schools across the UK and internationally to raise attainment and ensure 'outstanding' provision.

Previously - Headteacher at a Primary School in Liverpool

Mentor for newly appointed Headteachers

Developed ECM Quality Mark for Raising Achievement for vulnerable learners and additional Standards including Safeguarding; Leadership and Management; Investing in Achievement.

Headteacher Performance Management Partner and School Improvement Partner in many schools across the North West

Qualifications

Chester University College-Certificate of Education

HOPE University-Advanced Diploma in Education

NCSL-Consultant Leadership Programme

Alison Duckworth

Marketing professional with 25 years’ national and international experience